Two Hope residents are facing several charges in connection with a series of break-ins in the Kawkawa Lake area this week.
Hope RCMP was notified of a triggered house alarm in 21000 block of Lakeview Crescent at about 1:50 a.m. on Monday morning. Three officers attended and found the screen from the lower bathroom window on the ground, as well as the basement sliding door ajar and wet footprints near the patio door.
While conducting a perimeter check later that morning, two other officers on duty were called to a break and enter in progress in the 66000 block of Kawkawa Lake Road. A witness called police to advise them that he heard his neighbour’s recreational house alarm go off. He had gone over to investigate and noticed that the bedroom window was open and there were several chairs stacked up near the window. The window screen for the basement bathroom window had also been removed and placed behind the air conditioning unit. The witness reported hearing the voices of a man and woman coming from the dock. According to police, he pointed his flashlight in the direction of the voices and saw two people in dark clothing in the homeowner’s boat trying to paddle away. The witness could not see their faces, however, he could hear them arguing as they were going in circles in the boat. He watched them for about 10 minutes before they managed to steer the boat toward a dock located at the north side of the lake.
When police arrived on scene, the witness agreed to take one of the officers on his boat to search for the suspects. They found the stolen boat abandoned on the shore, taking in water. Inside the boat was a flat screen television, food and alcohol.
The RCMP Police Dog Service was called in to assist in locating the suspects.
The dog immediately established a track from a house on Kawkawa Lake Road, which went through very rough terrain and eventually to a steep rock cut. The dog was hesitant to climb the cut, so the dog’s handler attempted to get up in order to lift the dog up. However, the dog pulled in the other direction, causing the officer to fall down an embankment about 20 feet. He suffered multiple bruises and scrapes, however, after regaining his composure, he continued up the bank and made it to the top. Another RCMP officer below attempted the same, but, at the top, a large bolder gave way and he fell down the embankment. During the fall, the officer managed to get his footing, but the bolder hit him in the back of his head, causing a large laceration and heavy bleeding. He was transported back to the shoreline to an awaiting ambulance. He ended up suffering a concussion and receiving several stitches.
During this time, a retired RCMP member, now working as a court liaison at the Hope RCMP detachment, was listening to the police radio from the office and decided to try and locate the suspects, who were headed toward Union Bar Road. He drove up and down Union Bar Road several times and on the last pass noticed a man and woman walking towards Hope. As soon as they saw the retired officer, they started holding hands. The retired member immediately contacted a police officer on duty and informed her that the two individuals were likely the suspects as they were both completely soaked, mainly from the knees down.
Two officers on duty arrived within minutes and arrested 31-year-old Kevin William Parkin and 21-year-old Kimberly Ann Marie Desrosiers, who was found with a back pack containing a tool kit with wrenches and sockets, bolt cutters, sun glasses, boat flares, soccer whistle and several keys for different makes of cars. They are both facing charges of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and theft. Desrosiers has also been charged with possession of break-in instrument.
“A crime spree such as this is always concerning for police and citizens. The dedication and determination of the investigators has led to the arrest of two individuals who are well-known to police,” said Staff Sgt. Suki Manj.
“We are extremely grateful that our officers were not more seriously injured while attempting to arrest these individuals. We are committed to this community and take pride in being able to keep our residents safe.”
Hope RCMP is currently investigating 12 complaints of theft and break and enters in the Kawkawa Lake area that are believed to be linked to Parkin and Desrosiers. Anyone with information who has not spoken to police, or anyone who is missing any items, is asked to contact the local detachment at 604-869-7750 or Crimestoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).